Arsenic is a toxin which can lead to diabetes, and even high blood pressure and different cancers.

Where is our arsenic coming from?  There are two forms of arsenic, inorganic (most harmful) and organic arsenic (not very harmful, mostly in fish).  Some areas of Canada have elevated inorganic arsenic in the tap water…make sure your home water levels are below 0.01 mg/L (or 10 parts per billion).  We also find an increased amount of arsenic in particular food items, including rice, mushrooms, and poultry.  Often, this is from contamination of the feed or fertilizer that is used, although arsenic is also naturally found in certain rock and soils.  There is also a significant amount of arsenic in pressure-treated wood (called CCA-treated wood) and through the mining and smelting industries.  Find out your level of arsenic.  In our centre, we test arsenic from different sites of the body, the hair, blood, and urine, to understand how recent your exposures were/are, and if your body is able to eliminate it. 

Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity.

One of the increasing  challenges in health care today, is the slow yet progressive development of prediabetes into diabetes.  The lack of sensitivity to the hormone insulin, is an important step necessary to promote the development of diabetes.  The research study (below) shows that chromium and cinnamon play a role in improving the way our body responds to insulin.  To find out your risk of diabetes, and whether you have prediabetes, come to our centre for a screen.  We can also check if you have enough (or too much) chromium.

Anderson, RA. Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity. The Proceedings of the Nutritional Society.  2008 Feb;67(1):48-53.

Otles S, Cagindi O.  Health importance of arsenic in drinking water and food.  Environmental Geochemistry and Health.  April 13, 2010 [Epub ahead of print].